Health and SafetyThere are many good reasons for children to be walking and biking to school. It gives them the exercise that they need and, by reducing traffic, everyone benefits from a cleaner environment. But there are safety concerns that also must be addressed. Find out more facts and information about health, safety and the environment. Health:Public health officials agree that everyone should accumulate 30 minutes of physical activity every day and children need another 20 minutes of vigorous activity several days per week. Yet 78% of young boys and girls fall short of this goal. Environment:The threat to our environmental health is even greater. Motor vehicle use is now generally recognized as the source of more air pollution than any other single human activity. Safety:Children are not learning simple traffic safety. Of the leading types of pedestrian crashes 33% are due to dart-outs; pedestrians entering traffic mid-block, often from between parked cars. |
